Automatic air-lift



Sept. 22, 1931. w` 1, CLUTHE AUTOMATIC AIR LIFT Filed Sept. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOR l//d/ PJ 6' a//e ATTORNEY Sept. 22, 1931. w. J. cLuTHE 1,824,075

AUTOMATIC AIR LIFT Filed Sept. 26, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIIA\\\\ ///////I////// ImlulllllIlZ/l.'I

ATTORNEY rIl.

Patented Slept. 22', 1931 Y mi nutren sriyri-:s

WALTER J'. CLUTH, 0F KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI AU'roMA'r-Io AIR-LIFT ,Applicaton led September 26, 1929. Serial No. 395,300.

invention relates to pumping apparatus, and more particularly to air lift apparatus wherein a pressure medium iseni'ployed for moving a liquid, the principalA objects of my invention; being to conserve the energy the pressure medium, to separate a gas 1j-ressure medium from liquid pumped thereby and to control the operation of air lift apparatus responsively to 'theeXtent to which .reducing the hazard of damage vto container. and interference with the functioning of the pressure medium. y

Air lift apparatus ordinarily includes 'a' pressureniedium tube extending in a liquid conduit and having suitable yports for delivering the pressure medium to the conduit. Further objects of my invention are to enhance the lifting effectof'the pressure 'medium delivered to the conduit, Vrestrain water from passing into the pressureA medium tube,V to automatically effect closing of the lower end of the tube' to prevent flow of liquid inthe tube, Vand toY enable liquid passtoward the tube to close Ythe lower end thereof.

`Further objects of the invention are to effect automatic suspension of the influence of a pressure medium when the liquid rises beyond a predetermined point in the conduit`- anu to prevent -outflow of the pressure mediumwiththe liquid for conserving the supplv of pressure medium constantly effective (for lifting the liquid.

ln accomplishing theseand other objects of the invention, IV have provided improved details of structure, thek preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings .Y wherein Fig. l is a verticalVr section of a well equ'pped with my improved air lift apparatus. i

Fig. 2 is cross section ofra compressed air tank and separating compartment therein at the upperend of the well on the' line F ig. 3' is a vertical central section of the tank and upper end portions of the conduits illustrating accessory jet members.

Fig. l is `a vertical central section of the liquid is beinor delivered b thea 3 aratus for lower end of the liquid and pressure medium conduits illustrating valves and jet members controlling flow of pressure medium and liquid. i -Figf is a fragmentary vertical section of the compressed air tank includingthe liquid" inlet portion of a separating chamber. Figy is a section on 'the line 6,-6, FigQ: F ig. `7 is a section'on'the line 7 7', Fig. 3.v Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail section of a` float housing in the' separating chamber and valves for controlling flow of fluid from the chamber to the tank.

` Referring in detail to the drawings:

l designates'a well having a body-of liquid at-itsl lowerendwhich is to be drawn on eithery steadily or intermittently, the well being covered by a -top 2 having sufficient Astrength lto support the apparatuspresently Mounted on the well V is a tank 3` adapted to retaingas under relatively high Vpressure and having an inlet 4 for supplying gas thereto. f "Extending upwardlyintothe tank and downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of the well is a liquid conduit 5 having 'an open upper endcommunicating with the tank and a bottom end closed by a vplug 6. An axial opening 7 inthe plug forms a liquid intake port. The plug has a concave upper surface forming a seat for a globular valve cage 8 adapted to support a ball valve 9 inV the port 7 and having angularly directed openings lO for passage of liquid upwardly in the conduit.

Extending in the conduit is a pressure medium supply pipe llhaving itsupper end spaced below the upper-end of theconduit and its lower end engaged with and supporting the valve cage 8.

The pipe is providedwith an annular series of vertically-elongated ports 12 at its lowery end and with a plug 13 shutting the pipe ofl;l from the globular valve cage whereby'tlie pressure medium passingk downwardly'in the pipe is delivered laterally into the conduit' above the cage for lifting or propelling liquid upwardly in theconduit.

TheportslQ are preferably formed Vin av Cil nipple 14 depending from the lower end of a tubular housing 15 having substantially larger diameter than the pipe and screwthreadedly connected therewith.

The housing structure preferably includes a tubular pipe extension 16 screwt-hreaded in the pipe, the housing encircling a portion of the extension and having an upperflange 17 fixed to the extension. A lower arcuate housing flange 18 receives the nipple, the lower end of the extension being spaced from the lower end of the housing for accommodating a iioat operated ball valve 19 as presently described.

Vertically movable in the space between the nipple and the lowerend of the pipe extension is a spider-like support 20 having a ring of openings 20 and a central concave imperforate seat for the ball 19 which is adapted to be elevated by liquid `passing throughtheports 12 into the nipple toward the pipe for.4 closing thev lower end of the extension andV preventing liquid from passing upwardlyinto the presure medium pipe.

The valve is fioat operated and includes a hollow annular float 21 movable in the annular space between the housing and the extension 16, and the ball supporting spider comprises a bracket extending across the opening at the lower end of the annular fioat. Pressure medium passing downwardly in the, pipe is therefore not obstructed by the ball but vpasses around the ball through the apertures of the spider and into the nipple 14 for `flow through the ports 12.

VThe pressure medium is f further conditioned and controlled for delivery to the conduit by a pair of spaced disks 22 and'23 fixed to the outer wall of the nipple above and below the series of ports 12. The disks are concave and differentially curved to form converging walls producing a relatively narrow annular outletbetw'een the peripheries of the disks. An annular jet of pressure medium is thus produced which is directed upwardly and creates a vacuum below the disks for drawing air and liquid through the ports 10, unseating the valve 9, and drawing liquid through the ports 7 from the well.

Therdisks 22 and 23 may be formed integrally on a collar 24 adapted to be mounted on the nipple and having apertures registering with the ports 12. The body comprising the collar and pair of disks may be provided with channels 25 wherethrough liquid may move upwardly in the conduit adjacent the nipple and thus A`enhance the eificiencyof the pressure medium for exertinglifting infiuence on the liquid. Y A

Supplemental jet members may be `disf tributed along a pressure mediumpipe when theliquid is to be moved a considerable distance. A supplemental jet member illustrated in Fig. 3 is located in communicating relation with ports'26 Yin thepipe7 and is adapted to be operable only when pressure in Y rthe pipe and the conduit.

` A weight 27 slidablymounted on the pipe above the supplemental jet member tends to retain the upper disk in sealing relation with the lowerY disk, the weight and jet member being adjusted to yield to predetermined pressure for rendering the jet member effective. The weight normally rests on the upper disk and presses the disk edges together for controlling flow of gas through the jet member. The weight may further be adapted to respond to pressure of fiuid passing through the vertical channels in the body of the jet member, and when seated will close the channels vbut will yield when pressure of the liquid urgedvby the pressure medium delivered through the lower ports 12 reaches a predetermined value. y

The edges of, the jet member disks preferably engagejthe wall of the conduit.

A second type of jet member located below the above described member on an imperferate portion of the pipe '11 has a single disk or wing 28 and is lcurved to extend at a relatively acute angle to the pipe to form a seat for a float 29Y normally closing the vertical channels in the body thereof.

The edge of the lower supplemental member shown in Fig. 3 is spaced from the conduit. to afford relatively free flow of liquid.

The apparatus herein illustrated representing my invention is especially adapted for vproviding continuously operable air lift apparatus made effective for functioning upon opening of an exhaust or liquid delivery valve. It is therefore desirable both to prevent escape of the pressure medium and to prevent building up ofexcessive pres-sure by the liquid in the apparatus. i'

In order to separate the pressure medium from the liquid, I` provide a closed chamber in the tank formed by `radial vertical partition walls 8()V and 31 having inner vertical edges sealingly fixed to the outer surface of the projecting end of the conduit and opposite vertical edges sealingly fixed to the wall of the tank. An outlet port 32 from the `conduit is located within the chamber'ad jacent the' chamberwall 31 andthe bottom of the tank. The walls extend part way from the floor of the tank to the upper end edge of the conduit. A cover 33 is mounted on the .upper edges of thepartitions and the chamber is thus sealedfrom the tank.

A plurality of vertical battles 34 extend lat# erally in staggered relation alternately from the conduit and the tank wall and have upper edges spaced from the cover 33, thus forming a 'tortuous horizontal path Jfor the movement of the mixture of gasand liquid from the chamber inlet 32 toward an outlet 35 at the bottom edge of the tank wall.

rlfhe battle adjacent the chamberwall 3l extends on the opposite side ofthe port 32 from said wall to form an inlet chamber. rl cross plate 3e having vertical edges fixed to the wall 3l and adjacent baille close'to the port has an upper edge located below the edge of theballle to forma Weir-like wall in the inlet chamber andiproduce a relatively small channel through which liquid entering the port from the conduit moves upwardy and over the edge of the wallf36 toward the outer edge Voithe baille. l

A third partition 37 extends across the space between the conduit and the tank wall on the opposite side of the outlet 35'trom the partition 30, forming therewith a compartment and having a notch or passage 38 in its upper edge adjacent the conduit whereby liquid treed from gas during its movement through the tortuous passage may move through the partition into the .compartment andtlow thenceV toward the outlet 35.

Theliquid ows downwardly over staggered horizontal vertically spaced shelves 59 extending alternately from the conduit and the tank wall, the ends of f adjacent shelves overlapping to forma trap-like tortuous passage. A iinal trap or baffle member 40 extends downwardly forwardly in front ot the outlet 35, to locate the inner edge i thereof adjacent the floor oic the tank'and torce cutgoin g liquid to pass in a thin stream or sheet over the floor to the outlet.'

Gas departing from the mixture in theV chamber collects at une upper end of the chamber and may have access to a lower port 4l in float housing 42 depending from the cover 33 and may move from the housing through an air outlet port 43 back into the tank. Nipples 44 and 45 are mounted in the respective ports to form valve seats.

The lower port in the housing is normally closed by a valve 46 on a float 47 located in the housing vand responsive to pressure of air in the chamber., The upper port is nor mally open but maybe closed by a valve 48 on said float, the valves 46 and 48 being adapted` to engage respectively the seats 44 and 45. Pressure of air in the chamber may ing will lift the float and close the air outthe tank. 1 .In border tosuspendfoperation of the apparatuswhen the chamber is full ot liquid and the exhaust outlet 35 is closed, a float 49 ismounted on the upper end of the pipe including a depending axial valve portion V50 adapted to seat in the upper end of the pipe and having an axialy channel 51 through which the pressure medium may pass from the tank into the' pipe. .f

The float is freely movable vertically in the conduit and has a lower surface formed to guideV the mixture of gas and liquid into the outlet of the conduit.V A horizontal bot-4 tom-flange 52 of the float is located slightly above theoutlet 32 when the float is seated on the pipe so that'when liquid rises in the conduit above the outlet, the loat will be elevated and displaced from the upper end of the pipe to permit the liquid to flow into ythe pipe and thus'eii'ect drainage from the chamber. A valved liquid delivery pipe 53 is connected to the tank at the exhaust outlet 35.

ln using ap Jaratus constructed as described, the tan is suppliedV with air under let-portr43 to prevent owlof liquid into desired pressure adapted to eiiect the lifting action on the liquid. rlihe air. passes through the ioat 49 into the pipe and thence through the lower pcrt-s and'converging jetorming disks into the conduit. The jet action draws liquid through the port 7 and ports .l0 and moves the same upwardly through the outlet oit the conduit into the chamber. l/Vhen the exhaust outlet of the tank is open, liquid will be delivered under pressure. The pressure medium is separated itromv the liquid in the chamber and may return to the tank when the pressure inthe chamber exceeds the pressure in the tank. Liq-v uid however, is prevented by the operation of the float valve in the housing from'enterl ingthe tank to interferer with the body of compressed air therein.

Should excessive pressure result in lilling the chamber above the predetermined level, the weighted float atthe top of the pressure medium pipe will lbelifted and the pipe thus made accessible to vthe liquid for relieving the chamber. y

rlhe pressure of the pressure medium, as well as the medium itself, is thus retained within the apparatus and hazard of damage or interference with operation or the appara` tus is obviated. j

Should the length of the conduit be such that supplemental air lift jet members-may be desired, the'weighted members areprovided, radapted to limit out-How. ofpres-Y sure medium from the pipes tothe lower, ports until resistance to the pressure medium due to elevation of a body .ofliquid'in the lowei` end of the conduit results in spreading the disks or lifting the weights. A

Y Vhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters'Patent is: l Y

1. Automatic air lift apparatus including a liquid conduit, an air pipe extending in the conduit, a loat housing at the lower end of `the pipe, a nipple having .lateral ports supported by the lioat housing an-d communicating therewith, a float operated valve responsive to liquid rising in the housing for closing the pipe, and means for delivering a pressure medium to the nipple.

2. Automatic air lift apparatus including a liquid conduit, an air pipe extending in the conduit, a ioat housing at the lower endrof thepipe, a nippie having lateral ports-supported by the-float housing ann .communicating therewith, a .iioat in said housing responsive to liquid entering the housing through said ports and having a valve for closing the pipe, and means for delivering a pressure medium through the pipe to the nipple.

3. Automatic air lift apparatus including a liquid conduit, an air pipe extending in the conduit, a float housing at the lower end of the pipe, a nipple having lateral ports sup- :sol

-ported by the ioat housing and communicating therewith, a valve cage depending from the .nipple and sealed therefrom having valved liquid inlets and outlets to the conduit, a float operated valve responsive to liquid passing from the conduit through the nipple ports into the housing for closing the pipe, and means for delivering a pressure medium tothe nipple. 1 Y

2l. Automatic air lift apparatus vcomprising atank, a conduit provided with an outlet and having an upper end extending into the tank and a lower end provided with a lvalve seat, a pipe extending in the conduit, a float housing at the lower end of the pipe, a nipple at the lower end of the housing communicating therewith, said nipple having a closed lower end and lateral ports for discharging into the conduit air received through the housing, a valve cage at the lower end of the nipple adaptedto rest in said seat, a float in said housing including a bottoni provided with apertures for flowl oi" air toward the nippie and having avalve, said float being operable by liquid passing upwardly through the heusing to operate the valve for closing the lower end of the pipe.

5. In apparatus of the character described including a liquid conduit having an outlet spaced from its upper end, a pipe extending in the conduit, and means for delivering a pressure medium to the pipe for delivery to the lower end of the conduit to lift liquid therein, means including a ioat valve responsive to liquid risingV in the pipe for closing the lower end of the pipe, and a float mounted on the upperend of the pipe responsive to liquid rising above saidoutletlfor admitting liquid `to the pipe for the purpose described.

-6. In apparatus of the character Vdescribed including a liquid conduit and a pressure medium-pipe extending `in the liquid conduit and provided with an annular series of lateral ports for delivering pressure medium to the conduit, a diskfixed to the pipe above the ports forming an annular nozzle for efecting jet delivery of air to the conduit.

7. In apparatus of the character described including a liquid conduit and a pressure medium pipe extending in the liquid conduit and provided with an annular series of lateral ports for delivering pressure medium to the conduit, a pair of disks mounted on the pipe respectively above andbelow the ports and having converging surfaces forming an an nularnozzle for delivering the pressure Inedium in jet form to the conduit.

8. In apparatus of the character described including a liquid conduit and a pressure inedium conduit extending in the liquid conduit and provided with an annular series of lateral ports for delivering pressure medium to the conduit, a collar having a vertical channel mounted on the pipe and provided with openings registering with said pipe ports, and disks on said collar above and below the ports and having converging. surfaces forming an annular nozzle for delivering the pressure medium in jet form.A

9. In apparatus of the character described including a liquid conduit and a pressure medium pipe extending in the liquid conduit having a lateral port for delivering the pressure medium to the conduit, a collar xed to the pipe having an opening meeting with said port, a pair of resilient spaced disks on said collar above and below the port converging Vto form an annular jet opening, and means urging the upper disk against the lower for controlling low of the pressure medium through the port to the conduit. 10. In apparatus of the character described including a liquid conduit and a pressure medium pipe extending in the liquid conduit having a lateral port for delivering the pressure medium to the conduit, a disk fixed to the pipe below the port having an upwardly directed periphery, a second disk mounted on the pipe above the port, and a weight slidable on the pipe for urging the edge of the upper disk against the edge of the lower disk for controlling flow of the pressure medium hrough the port to the conduit. v In testimony whereoil I affixY my signature.

WALTER J. CLUTHE. 

